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Longmont could grow near fairgrounds

Boulder County Commissioners to consider giving city 83.7 acres of open space

By John FryarLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
12/09/2012 11:00:32 PM MST

Updated:
12/09/2012 11:02:25 PM MST

BOULDER -- Longmont could move a step closer this week to acquiring ownership of 83.7 acres of county-owned open space north of the Boulder County Fairgrounds.

Boulder County commissioners have scheduled a Thursday morning public hearing on the transaction. The city would take over formal responsibility for maintaining the area generally east of Hover Road, south of the railroad tracks, west of South Sunset Street and north of Boston Avenue -- including the Fairgrounds Lake, a stretch of the St. Vrain Greenway and Roger's Grove, which already is a city district park, although the county technically owns it.

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What: Boulder County commissioners hold a public hearing on a proposal to transfer ownership of 83.7 acres of property north of the county fairgrounds to the city of Longmont.

The county would retain a conservation over the entire 83.7-acre area to ensure that the area remains undeveloped and used for parks and open space purposes. ITs use would be restricted to passive recreation, wildlife habitat and environmental preservation.

The proposed agreement also would have Boulder County contribute $50,000 toward the city's eventual expenses of repairing and reinforcing eroded St. Vrain River banks, a riparian restoration project that city officials have estimated could cost more than $250,000.

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Boulder County would maintain ownership of the area south of Boston Avenue, including the fairgrounds at 9595 Nelson Road, the fairgrounds' arenas, exhibit hall and show barns, and other offices there.

Mel Stonebraker, a land officer in Boulder County's Parks and Open Space Department, wrote in a memo that the property transfer "would be in the best interest of both the city and the county."

It's been difficult for Boulder County to manage its properties north of the fairgrounds, since they "are not your typical county open space properties," he said.

Stonebraker added that if the transfer proceeds, the city could annex the land, allowing the city the right to manage it.

The Longmont City Council approved acquisition of the 83.7-acre area north of the fairgrounds on Nov. 13. Boulder County's Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended on Nov. 15 that the Board of County Commissioners approve the transaction.

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